Q: I installed el capitan, now I wish to downgrade to os x yosemite but It keeps on saying it won't install yosemite because theres el capitan, how do i solve this?

Tenessy_SA wrote:

 

I installed el capitan, now I wish to downgrade to os x yosemite but It keeps on saying it won't install yosemite because theres el capitan, how do i solve this?

You can't downgrade by installing an earlier OS over an existing one.  You downgrade by using your most recent Time Machine backup from when you were using that OS to restore your system.  It would be easier to get whatever issues/problems you're having with El Capitan fixed, rather than reverting your system.  What about El Capitan makes you want to do this?

Tenessy_SA wrote:

 

My problem is that I never made a backup on my time machine, reason why I wish to downgrade is because some of the hardware I use for my audio engineering is not compatable with El Capitan plus its not user friendly

I think El Capitan is very user friendly, but why do you think it's not?  What are you experiencing that makes you feel that way?  As for your audio engineering hardware, before you upgrade, you're supposed to make sure that everything you have installed in the form of applications/plugins/extensions/drivers are compatible with what you're upgrading to.  If they're not compatible, upgrade them so they are.  If they can't be upgraded, uninstall them.  If you can't uninstall them or don't want to uninstall them, then you don't upgrade. 

Tenessy_SA wrote:

 

I WISH TO DOWNGRADE TO YOSEMITE, I DO NOT WANT TO USE EL CAPITAN EVER AGAIN, HOW DO I SOLVE MY PROBLEM SINCE I NEVER MADE A BACKUP OF MY PREVIOUS OS X

Please don't post in all-caps.  That's the equivalent of yelling or screaming at someone, and that's not the right way to treat people.  The only other way I can see downgrading your system without a backup is making a bootable installer for Yosemite, and that involves following the directions you can read here --> Create a bootable installer for OS X - Apple Support .  If you're not familiar with the command line or using Terminal, I wouldn't do this. 

Also, it should be noted, that the further away from Yosemite OS X gets, the less support it's going to receive, the more prone to security issues it'll become, and the more obsolete it's going to be.  It would be a lot smarter to upgrade your hardware to be compatible with El Capitan, and a lot easier for you in the long run.   

With the risk that you are going to shout to me too:

1. why are you not satisfied with ElCapitan? perhaps it is only a little item to solve.

2. You have to do a complete format/erase of the startup disk (you loose everything) and then install Yosemite when you do not have a TimeMachine backup, as explained by Pinkstones.

Typing in ALL CAPS is the internet equivalent of yelling at people.

You are not likely to get help from volunteers (like myself) by yelling at us.

I'd like to believe you were unaware that you were being rude. In that spirit, I'll try and answer your question.  But first, an aside:

     Hard drives often go from working normally to totally dead with no forewarning whatsoever.  Any data that you haven't backed up will be lost!

 

 

     Doing creative work on a computer without a backup is like jumping out of an airplane without a backup shute. Usually your primary drive (shute) will work fine, but if it fails and you don't have a backup, the results will be rather unpleasant.

Since you don't have a backup, you've done the computer equivalent of painting yourself into a corner.  The only way to regress to the earlier OS is to have a bootable version of OS X (any version) on a separate bootable device, like an external hard drive or Flash drive.  A very abbreviated version of the instructions is as follows:

1. Get an external drive.
2. Make sure it's formatted in the Mac OS Extended format.
3. Install OS X on that drive.
4. Copy the Yosemite installer onto that drive.
5. Use the Startup Disk preference pane and select the external drive.
6. Restart. Your Mac will start up from the external drive.
7. Drag the System folder on your internal drive into the Trash.
8. Run the Yosemite installer (that you copied in step 4), and select your internal drive.
9. Allow the installation to complete.

I haven't tried the above, but based on many years of supporting Macs, I believe it will work.

I honestly think it would be less work with less downtime and less expense to simply address your issues with El Capitan.

You have to erase your drive and install Yosemite on the empty drive. Then restore your user data from backups and reinstall your apps from fresh downloads.

If the machine were purchased with Yosemite OS X 10.10 installed, would

returning to the original (Yosemite) be possible through finding the item in

the Purchases, in Mac App Store? If available, download that installer to an

external hard disk drive; or restructure (erase/install) to the computer's HDD.

{The problem when looking into discussions, is that some replies do not appear

until after a new (mine, for example) is added. Then proof that my time was

wasted; and if caught in time, I can edit the well-intended reply to make it short.

Or, like some others, just revert to a (dot) with no explanation since an empty

field cannot be left as a reply, at that point.}

I'd considered this from the angle, if possible, to revert using a download installer

of Yosemite from the user's App Store. Perhaps to another external or internal HDD

and then consider how to use it in the computer. Essentially, to try to use App Store

and purchase history to revert the computer to its original state, if it shipped w/ 10.10.

So much for good intentions...!

Tenessy_SA wrote:

 

I WISH TO DOWNGRADE TO YOSEMITE, I DO NOT WANT TO USE EL CAPITAN EVER AGAIN, HOW DO I SOLVE MY PROBLEM SINCE I NEVER MADE A BACKUP OF MY PREVIOUS OS X

FWIW, I don't blame you for yelling. You were very clear as to why you wanted to downgrade but instead of anyone trying to help you they decided to talk you out of it instead. I would be frustrated.

If your Mac came with Yosemite you can reinstall it using Internet Recovery. Start up your Mac, after the chime you need to hold the Command+Option+R keys.

If you had downloaded Yosemite it should still be under the purchased tab of The App Store and you can download it from there. Then create a bootable Yosemite installer.

http://www.macworld.com/article/2367748/os-x/how-to-make-a-bootable-os-x-10-10-y osemite-install-drive.html

Be aware either method will completely erase your drive so you will have to reinstall any software.

You're welcome.